"Hospital? Why?"
"She... She woke up with chest pain," he was saying every word with difficulty as if he himself was feeling her pain. "Her lips were..."
I didn't wait for him to complete. I jumped into the car and drove to the hospital as my life depended on it. By the time I reached the hospital, my heart was beating painfully hard in my chest.
My legs felt out of energy as I ran through the corridor to find Adrian walking back and forth in front of the emergency room.
"What happened?"
"She woke up crying in pain. Her lips were pale, and she was having difficulty breathing. I was bringing her here when she fainted on the way. Now doctors are looking after her."
My heart dropped in my stomach. I lost my balance and stumbled forward. Adrian caught me on time and squeezed my shoulders gently, but it didn't help with my aching heart in any way.
"Cynthia, I didn't want to call you but..." He was saying something, but it didn't reach my ears.
"She'll get a fine. Right?" I looked at him with desperate hope.
His eyes glistened with small tears that he was trying to control. He loved her as deeply as I did.
"She has to," he whispered. "She has no other option."
A sob escaped from the depths of my heart and passed my lips.
I am tired of being strong all the time.
Sometimes I want to cry.
"Cynthia..."
Adrian wrapped his arms around me and gave me a tight hug, and I let him. Because I needed this. Especially after everything that happened today.
God! Why are you punishing my daughter for my sins? She is such an innocent soul. Please have mercy on her.
Adrian helped me sit on the bench, offered me water, and rubbed my back all the time. I didn't cry more than one tear.
We stood up at the same time when the doctor came out of the emergency room.
"How is she?" Adrian asked quickly.
"She is stable for now."
The blood rushed down my body in relief, which was only short-lived.
"But I can't say for how long."
My breath hitched. The doctor let out a deep sigh and looked between us.
"See, I have told you earlier too, we have passed the stage of managing symptoms. Surgery is the only option left now."
My blood turned cold. My legs gave up, and I sat back on the bench. My palms clutched the bench tightly as I looked down, hiding my face with my hair.
"How... How many days do we have?" I heard Adrian asking in a low whisper.
"I can't say anything for sure, but no more than fifteen days," the doctor said plainly. "In this time, if her symptoms repeated… I can't promise what will happen."
My eyes were open, but my vision was washed out. My ears were working, but I couldn't hear anything. My heart was beating in my chest, but I couldn't feel it anymore.
"Cynthia," I heard a soft mumble from Adrian, which was followed by his hand on my palm. "We will get her surgery done."
Slowly, I looked up at him. He rubbed my palm in between his to warm it.
"How?" I choked out, trying hard to swallow my emotions, "You know the amount..."
"I will sell my house."
My body froze, and my eyes snapped wide in shock.
"Wh-at?"
For a moment, I thought I had heard something wrong, but the conviction in his eyes clarified everything.
He closed his eyes momentarily and nodded his head, assuring me I heard it right.
A long silence followed his words as I took time to register them. Slowly, I shook my head and pulled my palm away from his hold.
"I... I can't."
I turned my face away from him.
"Why? She is my daughter, too. Isn't she?"
I pursed my lips and tightened my throat not to let myself break like this. I am stronger than this. If I broke, what would happen to my daughter? She is so small and innocent in this cruel world.
"I won't be able to forgive myself if something happened to her, especially after knowing I could have helped her. I can't bear the guilt..."
"Do you think I can bear the guilt?" I turned my head to meet his gaze. My eyes were now dry but red. "Guilt of ruining your business, guilt of snatching everything that you built with hard work, guilt of seeing you struggling with your job every day, guilt of leaving you with nothing but responsibilities. I still remember how happy you were when you were finally able to buy a house again."
I inhaled sharply and shook my head.
"I cannot increase my debts."
Not until I have burnt all my sources.
"Cynthia, none of that was your fault."
"It was," I snapped softly. "You know it."
He let out a deep sigh.
"I don't want to argue because right now it is more important to save Aurora's life. Isn't it?"
I licked my dry lips and nodded my head.
"And I know what I have to do."
"What?" he asked, surprised.
I turned my head to him for confirmation.
"We have two weeks. Right?"
His eyebrows drew in confusion as he looked between my eyes, trying to read my mind.
I stood up and walked to the room where my daughter was lying on a hospital bed, looking so pale and weak.
I stroke her forehead and intertwine her pinky finger with mine, which she always does when she promises me something.
"Mumma promises you, Aurora, to arrange the money anyhow."